enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

december book report.

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It's been awhile since my last book report. Just three books in seven weeks. Not my best record and spoiler alert, this is not my best round-up. But here's what's been helping me fall asleep…

Yes, Please by Amy Poehler / it's no secret I'm a big Amy fan. I was excited to get a chance to hear more from her and this book did not disappoint. I read a lot of it while holding back tears. Is that odd? Probably. It's not a sad book. But so much…the labor and postpartum stuff, the honest thoughts about saying sorry and making a big mistake, the stuff about her parents, the stuff about working and being a mom, the difference between creativity and career, the differences between men and women. I don't know. IT HIT ME HARD. I didn't race through this. I couldn't. I sort of savored sections over the period of a month. It was like my funny, older, wiser sister was giving me honest, heartfelt advice. I think I'll refer back to this and I rarely say that about memoir. Let's get real. I'll probably give this book it's own post in a few weeks.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman / this is the book that I got stuck on and why it took me so long to get a new report up. This book is Harry Potter except older, grungier, sadder and with more sex and alcohol. (Did I sell you on it?) It's not fair to say that ANY book about magicians is like Harry Potter but with my book experience it's hard to not draw the comparison. I wanted to enjoy this. It's the first of three in a series and I would love nothing more than getting sucked into another wonderful series but I really didn't like it. I hated every character. And not in the "reality tv, what will they do next?!" way but in the "I'm so bored" way. Bummer.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan / this was much more of a beach read than I expected though It was a different take on "traditional" chick-lit. It was fun but there were SO MANY unanswered questions when it ended. There were about 25 main characters we got sort of a resolution on 2.5 of them. That was odd and a bit frustrating. I am sort of neutral on this though I will say it was addicting and hard to put down.

Big Little Lies and Being Mortal are up next for me. What about you?

ps. see all my book reports (and the comments sections are even better) here.

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34 responses to “december book report.”

  1. Shelley Avatar
    Shelley

    I too disliked The Magicians and I sooo wanted to like it.

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  2. Carly Friesen Avatar
    Carly Friesen

    I have Yes Please sitting on my night stand, ready to get started. I have a feeling I will have very similar reactions to the book. I watch her youtube videos sometimes (Ask Amy on the Smart Girls at the Party channel), even though they are meant for teenagers they are always amazing, wise, and uplifting.

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  3. kristina Avatar
    kristina

    I can’t wait to start Yes Please! Have I mentioned how much I love reading your monthly book reports? I am only recently getting back into reading “for me” (I’ll blame four years and a mountain of University textbooks for my hiatus… although it isn’t a good excuse).
    I was wondering if you ever feel similarly inspired by a film? I ask because I recently watched a Wes Anderson movie (yesterday!) and felt SO inspired that I just had to share a short review on my blog. You seem more inclined to pick up a book or watch a series on Netflix, but I would love to read about the films you find most inspiring 🙂

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  4. yours truly, melissa Avatar
    yours truly, melissa

    Looking forward to reading Yes, Please soon. Maybe over the holidays…
    And I have Crazy Rich Asians on my list of books to read because I heard it was entertaining…but 25 characters?! That seems excessive…was it hard to keep them all straight?

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  5. rachel del grosso Avatar
    rachel del grosso

    I just cracked open “One Day” last night.

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  6. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    Reading Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire right now and love the premise. Also just got a copy of Shaun Usher’s Lists of Note that I’m savoring (it’s so good!!). I have a giveaway running on my blog for one more day if any bookish types want to enter!

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  7. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    Blew through Crazy Rich Asians this weekend. A fast and fun read, but, I agree with you, there were too many unanswered questions at the end. Good news, the sequel is supposed to be out next year: http://www.amazon.com/China-Rich-Girlfriend-A-Novel/dp/0385539088/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0.

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  8. Claudia Avatar
    Claudia

    I met Atul Gawande in a conference last week and I just Dove into this Book! Trully deep and absolutely relevant Book! Hope you love it too!

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  9. Tracy R. Avatar
    Tracy R.

    Totally with you on The Magicians. Hated it, totally bored by it and really wanted to like it!

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  10. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    Yes Please is on my list. I’m currently reading a book about breaking into the publishing business and Neverhome by Laird Hunt (this one is about a woman who disguises herself as a man to go off to war – the Civil War, I think. Not a lot is happening, but it’s a beautifully written book).

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  11. Kerrie Avatar
    Kerrie

    I, too, am a huge Amy Poehler fan. I just love her. She is smart and charismatic and real and raw. And you definitely get all that in her book. Although, for me, I didn’t really get into the book until about 2/3rds into it. All the SNL stuff and NY life was really choppy to me. And I didn’t know a lot of the people she was talking about because I’m just really bad with names. I mean, I loved her accounts of LIVING in NYC. It’s nostalgic for me since I moved to NYC in my early 20s with no job, no place to live, and not knowing a single person. I love the struggle of NYC. But, other than that, I wasn’t really into it.
    UNTIL, she got into the more personal family raising days. Her relationships with other people (Tina Fey, Parks&Rec cast). Her trip to Haiti. I ate it up. I, too, was basically teary eyed the whole time. I, too, will re-read those sections again and again. I love her raw honesty. I wanted to reach through the book and give her a hug so many times. I want to stay up late with her and have deep conversations about life, creativity, inspiration, the struggle, power, women, powerful women, mothering, and everything in between. Over a huge glass of wine…obviously. 🙂

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  12. Kerrie Avatar
    Kerrie

    Also, I read Yes, Please just after losing my dad. In fact, I read most of it on the plane going to his memorial. I bookmarked all these passages in the last 1/3rd of the book. I don’t even remember doing it, but I just look back through it to remember if Haiti was actually where she went. Man, there is some really powerful stuff in there. So much, that I think I need to read it again in my current mental state.

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  13. elise blaha cripe Avatar
    elise blaha cripe

    Love this question! I am inspired by films and will have to think about my faves. 🙂

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  14. elise blaha cripe Avatar
    elise blaha cripe

    I might have exaggerated, but at least 20. 😉 and yes! very hard. but it gets easier about halfway through. 🙂

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  15. elise blaha cripe Avatar
    elise blaha cripe

    well that is good! it needs a sequel! 🙂

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  16. elise blaha cripe Avatar
    elise blaha cripe

    oh wow Kerrie. I can’t imagine. I bet that book will stick with you in more ways then one.
    lots of love.

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  17. lea Avatar
    lea

    had the same issue with the Magicians, no feelings whatsoever towards the characters, and I didn’t even feel like the author wanted us to care for them somehow. Book 2 is better though, less all over the place like I felt book 1 was but still not mesmerizing. Mostly I feel like the story lacks heart if that makes sense!
    Still reading Yes Please, taking it slowy 🙂

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  18. Tiffany M. Avatar
    Tiffany M.

    I just finished The Chaperone which I thought was pretty good, as well as The Thirteenth Tale, which I really loved. Love reading your reviews. Great to put another book on the pile to read!

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  19. Valerie Avatar
    Valerie

    I agree, Yes Please was amazing. Some of the best life advice I have read and it made me laugh! Have you read Tiny Beautiful Things? Even more emotional and also beautifully written, those two books are now at the top of my list to suggest for every person to read.
    And I was similarly disappointed with the magicians. There’s not many books in which I hate every character, but that was one. I didn’t finish the series, which is pretty rare for me.
    I just finished Big, Little Lies and enjoyed it. It reminded me a little of where did you go Bernadette, except darker. But an easy, enjoyable read!

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  20. Laura M Avatar
    Laura M

    I just read The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moynes and The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty and both were so good. Like, read both in 3 days while visiting family good. Yes Please is next on my list!

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  21. Sabela Avatar
    Sabela

    I am halfway through “The Man Who Rained”, by Ali Shaw and am absolutely loving it! It took me a while to find the time to really dig into it, but thanks to a short plane trip I got quite far. Really recommendable if you enjoy this sort of magical reality.
    :*

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  22. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Have you ever read Dooce’s (aka Heather Armstrong)’s memoir: It Sucked and Then I Cried? I laughed so hard through that one – it’s several years old at this point, and I should probably reread now that I’m a parent.
    I cannot WAIT for Mindy Kaling’s new book that comes out in the spring. She is to me what Amy Poehler is to you. I love, love, love her.
    I know you watched and loved Veronica Mars (and I the biggest nerd about VM, ever – kickstarter backer and the like) – but have you seen the follow up mysteries written by Rob Thomas and a co-writer? Nothing earth shattering here as far a great literature, but pure entertainment if you want to find out where the characters are now. VM Book #2 comes out next month! A little something for your Kindle, maybe?! 🙂 http://www.amazon.com/Veronica-Mars-Original-Mystery-Thousand-Dollar/dp/0804170703/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418760660&sr=1-1&keywords=veronica+mars+thousand+dollar+tan+line

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  23. Michal Lynn Avatar
    Michal Lynn

    I couldn’t agree more with you on Yes, Please. What a great book. I am so glad I pre-ordered it and got my own copy, because I flagged practically every page. After reading Lena Dunham’s book and taking pretty much nothing away from it, it was awesome to have something to refer to again and again. It’s been a long time since I got excited over a book, but I’ve been wanting to check out Still Alice since you’ve mentioned it. I can’t wait for the next book (especially book series) that I can completely lose myself in. Please share when you find one!

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  24. Sarah M Avatar
    Sarah M

    I had decided that reading Mindy’s and Tina’s book was enough of the female-comedian genre, but with a review like that I am definitely going to read it!
    I just finished Anne Lamott’s newest “Small Victories” and she is one of my favorites, so I of course enjoyed it. I also recently finished A Bird on Water Street, which is a YA novel about a mining city. It was an easy read, quick and interesting. I’m currently starting Laura Vanderkam’s “168 Hours: You Have More Time Than you Think” 🙂
    Sarah M

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  25. Lauren Avatar
    Lauren

    Oh! You must Listen to Yes, Please on audio! She chats with you and other people, so there are lots of extras in there and its so fun to hear how she explains things using inflection. It was the best and I was so teary eyed through half of it too! You can listen on ScribD if you do a month free trial. Totally worth it 🙂

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  26. Bella Avatar
    Bella

    On a toally unrelated not.
    OMG!!! I love the new design! This looks so fresh and clutter free. And the details!!! Est. 2005 (great and so adorable!) I can’t wait for a post on it.
    Cheers!
    (Is it a trial thing? I just had to comment SOMEWHERE because I am a long time reader and just hat a huge OMG-ELISE-CHANGED-HER-DESIGN moment.) Sending over only the best vibes from europe!

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  27. Flo Avatar
    Flo

    Your review makes me want to read Yes Please even more ! It may get bumped up on my reading list 🙂
    Oh, and congrats on the new design ! I love the cleaner, structured look. Visually (and…vibe-wise?), I find it ties in nicely with your shop as well. Comfortable to use too, love it !

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  28. Cori Schwabe Avatar
    Cori Schwabe

    I can’t wait to read Yes, Please! Have you read Outlander yet? That is a FANTASTIC series to get sucked into. And you definitely will get sucked in! 🙂

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  29. Carrie Anderson Avatar
    Carrie Anderson

    that was EXACTLY my reaction to the Magicians…i finished most of book one and never went back! bummer cause i wanted to like it too!!
    i have GOT to get the amy poehler book soon!! i am DYING to read it!!

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  30. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    …and just picked up YES PLEASE from the library today. Hurrah!

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  31. Holly Avatar
    Holly

    I just finished Yes Please too! I listened to it on audio and loved it. “Good for you, not for me” is my new mantra. And I totally want to check out the book “The Gift of Fear” that she mentioned–has anyone else out there read it?
    Do you read the Modern Mrs. Darcy blog? She has a fun feature called Quick Lit (previously called Twitterature) of book reviews, and I just started doing it too…here’s my book report! 🙂 http://hollymunson.com/2014/12/15/twitterature-faith-race-and-dump-trucks/

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  32. sharon Avatar
    sharon

    I found I enjoyed The Magician King much more than The Magicians, a bit more Narnia, a bit less horror and sex. But I can understand if you’re not keen to try it.

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  33. Kaleigh Avatar
    Kaleigh

    I just got Yes Please as a Christmas gift and I cannot wait to dive into it! With about 20 other books that are on the “to read” list! I will never ever tire of a book in my hands!

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  34. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    I read Yes Please recently and LOVED it. I’m working on the Lena Dunham book now, but it’s not as fun a read for me, so I’ve been slogging through.

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